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Articles 1 - 30 of 148
Full-Text Articles in Engineering
Incorporating Grain Size Effects In Taylor Crystal Plasticity, Bradley S. Fromm
Incorporating Grain Size Effects In Taylor Crystal Plasticity, Bradley S. Fromm
Theses and Dissertations
A method to incorporate grain size effects into crystal plasticity is presented. The classical Hall-Petch equation inaccurately predicts the macroscopic yield strength for materials with non-equiaxed grains or materials that contain unequal grain size distributions. These deficiencies can be overcome by incorporating both grain size and orientation characteristics into crystal plasticity theory. Homogenization relationships based on a viscoplastic Taylor-like approach are introduced along with a new function, the grain size and orientation distribution function (GSODF). Estimates of the GSODF for high purity α-titanium are recovered through orientation imaging microscopy coupled with the chord length distribution. A comparison between the new …
Bio-Surfaces And Geometric References For A Standardized Biomechanical Design Methodology For Mass Customization, Kimberly A. Jensen
Bio-Surfaces And Geometric References For A Standardized Biomechanical Design Methodology For Mass Customization, Kimberly A. Jensen
Theses and Dissertations
This dissertation presents a method for the design of customizable products that interface with the human body. The method presented involves first, a consistent method of capturing and representing the human model so that the model can be used with CAx tools and solid modeling techniques. Second, it provides a design methodology based on feature structure planning and assembly modeling that provides a consistent structure to the design process so that it can be reused and parameterized. Third, a strategy for identifying parametric variables that are referenced to the human body is introduced. The core of this method is the …
Reducing Curvature In Complex Tool Paths By Deviating From Cam-Produced Tool Paths Within A Tolerance Band, George Benjamin Naseath
Reducing Curvature In Complex Tool Paths By Deviating From Cam-Produced Tool Paths Within A Tolerance Band, George Benjamin Naseath
Theses and Dissertations
This thesis develops an algorithm to decrease high-curvature sections in tool paths for complex parts to achieve shorter machining times resulting in higher production rates. In the research sample cases, the algorithm decreased machining times by 1% to 9% for design-induced sections of high curvature and by 16% to 75% for CAM induced ripples using high path tolerances. High-curvature sections in tool paths are caused by complex part geometry, noise, and discontinuities in the model. The curvature is decreased by deviating the tool path within an allowable path tolerance. The feedrate along the tool path is directly related to the …
The Effect Of Contact Length On Adhesion Between Carbon Nanotubes On Silicon Dioxide, Robert C. Davis, Kaylee Mcelroy, Aaron R. Hopkins
The Effect Of Contact Length On Adhesion Between Carbon Nanotubes On Silicon Dioxide, Robert C. Davis, Kaylee Mcelroy, Aaron R. Hopkins
Faculty Publications
The force of adhesion was measured for single walled carbon nanotubes grown over lithographically defined silicon dioxide trenches. We varied contact lengths between the nanotubes and silicon dioxide from 230 to 850 nm. Suspended nanotubes were pushed vertically into the trenches with an atomic force microscope tip, causing them to slip along the surface. Previous work done at shorter contact lengths found that tension was constant with contact length [J. D. Whittaker et al., Nano Lett. 6, 953 (2006)]. This study finds that when the nanotube contact length approaches 1 µm, the tension at which nanotubes slip begins to increase …
Energy Efficiency In Cold-Weather High-End Custom Homes, Joseph R. Kearl
Energy Efficiency In Cold-Weather High-End Custom Homes, Joseph R. Kearl
Theses and Dissertations
Nationally, there is increasing interest in energy efficient homes due to growing energy costs and increased awareness. However, many builders haven't yet incorporated energy saving products and practices into homes. Many builders don't have the resources to evaluate available options and prefer to rely on the experiences of other builders. The purpose of this study was to create energy efficiency benchmarks for cold-weather, high-end custom homes and evaluate current building practices. A list of energy-efficient products and practices was created through a review of relevant literature. A group of expert builders was formed into a committee to help determine energy …
Sensitivity Of Half-Cell Potential Measurements To Properties Of Concrete Bridge Decks, Thad Marshall Pinkerton
Sensitivity Of Half-Cell Potential Measurements To Properties Of Concrete Bridge Decks, Thad Marshall Pinkerton
Theses and Dissertations
Half-cell potential testing has been recommended as a non-destructive method for assessing the corrosion potential of reinforcing steel in concrete bridge decks. The technique is particularly useful because it can be utilized to evaluate the probability of corrosion before damage is evident at the surface of a bridge deck. The specific objective of this research was to quantify the effects of age, chloride concentration, concrete cover thickness, spatial position, temperature, and presence or condition of epoxy coating on half-cell potential measurements of concrete bridge decks typical of those in Utah. The laboratory testing associated with this research followed a full-factorial …
Mexico Engineering Study Abroad: Assessing The Effectiveness Of International Experiences On Teaching Global Engineering Skills, Joshua Benjamin Draper
Mexico Engineering Study Abroad: Assessing The Effectiveness Of International Experiences On Teaching Global Engineering Skills, Joshua Benjamin Draper
Theses and Dissertations
Globalization is a rapidly increasing trend in many industries, including civil engineering. This paper defines the skills engineers will need in an increasingly international industry. It also describes an engineering study abroad program designed to teach some of those skills to students and presents a survey used as an assessment tool to evaluate the effectiveness of the program. The program, called Mexico Engineering Study Abroad (MESA), is taught at Brigham Young University (BYU) in Provo, UT. MESA is a project-based extended field trip format class that couples hydrologic modeling with cultural awareness as students work together with Mexican students on …
Dry Stacked Surface Bonded Masonry - Structural Testing And Evaluation, Eric B. Murray
Dry Stacked Surface Bonded Masonry - Structural Testing And Evaluation, Eric B. Murray
Theses and Dissertations
The ENDURA block system is a dry-stack surface-bonded masonry system. Typical masonry construction uses thin-set mortar in the bed joints to provide a bearing surface for the blocks while the ENDURA system typically relies on shims and a surface bonding coat to ensure that the wall is level and plumb and to provide stability. Typical ENDURA block walls are built with the reinforcement placed eccentrically in the walls. Testing was performed on ten walls in order to determine axial capacity. The walls were ten feet high by eight feet wide. Each of the walls was built using a different configuration …
One-Dimensional Radial Flow Turbomachinery Performance Modeling, Robert John Pelton
One-Dimensional Radial Flow Turbomachinery Performance Modeling, Robert John Pelton
Theses and Dissertations
The Two-Element In Series (TEIS) and Two-Zone models have been used successfully for over twenty years to model test data for radial flow compressors and pumps. The models can also be used to predict the performance of new machines provided that the model inputs can be accurately specified. Unfortunately, use of the TEIS and Two-Zone models as a predictive tool has been limited because an accurate and broadly applicable method of predicting the modeling parameters, etaA, etaB, chi and d2p does not exist. Empirical models have been developed to predict the TEIS and Two-Zone modeling parameters based on a large …
Optimizing Wireless Network Throughput: Methods And Applications, Pengchang Zhan
Optimizing Wireless Network Throughput: Methods And Applications, Pengchang Zhan
Theses and Dissertations
Ever since Marconi succeeded in his first demonstration on the possibility to communicate over the air overseas about a century ago, wireless communications have experienced dramatic improvements. Today's world sees the penetration of wireless communications into human life almost everywhere, from a simple remote control for TV to a cellular phone. With a better understanding of the adverse nature of the wireless propagation channels, engineers have been able to invent various clever techniques, i.e. Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO) technology, spread spectrum communications, Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) to name a few, to achieve fast and reliable communications over each …
Low-Altitude Road Following, Using Strap-Down Cameras On Miniature Aerial Vehicles, Joseph M. Egbert
Low-Altitude Road Following, Using Strap-Down Cameras On Miniature Aerial Vehicles, Joseph M. Egbert
Theses and Dissertations
Miniature air vehicles (MAVs) are particularly well suited for short-distance, over-the-horizon, low-altitude surveillance and reconnaissance tasks. New camera and battery technologies have greatly increased a MAVs potential for these tasks. This thesis focuses on aerial surveillance of borders and roads, where a strap-down camera is used in-the-loop to track a border or road pathway. It is assumed that quality tracking requires that the pathway always remain in the footprint of the camera. The objective of this thesis is to explore roll-angle and altitude-above-ground-level constraints imposed on a bank-to-turn MAV due to the requirement to keep the pathway in the footprint …
Synthesis Of Optimal Arrays For Mimo And Diversity Systems, Britton T. Quist
Synthesis Of Optimal Arrays For Mimo And Diversity Systems, Britton T. Quist
Theses and Dissertations
This thesis proposes a method for determining the optimal antenna element radiation characteristics which maximize diversity gain given a specific power angular spectrum of the propagation environment. The method numerically constructs the eigenfunctions of the covariance operator for the scenario subject to constraints on the power radiated by each antenna as well as the level of supergain allowed in the solution. The optimal antenna characteristics are produced in terms of radiating current distributions along with their resulting radiation patterns. The results reveal that the optimal antennas can provide significantly more diversity gain than that provided by a simple practical design. …
Low Loss Hybrid Waveguide Electric Field Sensor Based On Optical D-Fiber, Eric K. Johnson
Low Loss Hybrid Waveguide Electric Field Sensor Based On Optical D-Fiber, Eric K. Johnson
Theses and Dissertations
This thesis presents the fabrication of a low loss hybrid waveguide electric field(E-field) sensor based on optical D-fiber. This novel E-field sensor is formed as part of a contiguous fiber resulting in a flexible and small cross-section device that can be embedded into electronic circuitry. The in-fiber nature of this sensor also eliminates the need for alignment and packaging that conventional sensors need. An optical fiber can detect electric fields when the core of the fiber is partially removed and replaced with an electro-optic polymer. This polymer causes a change in the index of refraction in the waveguide of the …
Space-Time Coding With Offset Modulations, N. Thomas Nelson
Space-Time Coding With Offset Modulations, N. Thomas Nelson
Theses and Dissertations
In this dissertation it is shown that the telemetry versions of Feher-patented QPSK (FQPSK-JR) and shaped offset QPSK (SOQPSK-TG) can be interpreted as both cross-correlated, trellis-coded quadrature modulation (XTCQM) and continuous phase modulation (CPM). Based on these representations, both modulations can be detected with near optimal bit error rate performance using a common detector that is formulated as either an XTCQM detector, a traditional CPM detector, or a pulse amplitude modulation (PAM) detector (due to the PAM decomposition of the CPM representations of these modulations). In addition it is shown that the complexity of the XTCQM detector for SOQPSK-TG can …
Low-Voltage Analog Cmos Architectures And Design Methods, Kent Downing Layton
Low-Voltage Analog Cmos Architectures And Design Methods, Kent Downing Layton
Theses and Dissertations
This dissertation develops design methods and architectures which allow analog circuits to operate at VT + 2Vds,sat, the minimum supply for CMOS circuits with all transistors in the active region where Vds,sat is the drain to source saturation voltage of a MOS transistor. Techniques which meet this criteria for rail-to-rail input stages, gain enhancement stages, and output stages are discussed and developed. These techniques are used to design four fully-differential rail-to-rail amplifiers. The highest gain is shown to be attained using a drain voltage equalization (DVE) or active-bootstrapping technique which produces more than 100dB of gain in a two stage …
Numerical Study Of Fully Developed Laminar And Turbulent Flow Through Microchannels With Longitudinal Microstructures, Kevin B. Jeffs
Numerical Study Of Fully Developed Laminar And Turbulent Flow Through Microchannels With Longitudinal Microstructures, Kevin B. Jeffs
Theses and Dissertations
Due to the increase of application in a number of emerging technologies, a growing amount of research has focused on the reduction of drag in microfluidic transport. A novel approach reported in the recent literature is to fabricate micro-ribs and cavities in the channel wall that are then treated with a hydrophobic coating. Such surfaces have been termed super- or ultrahydrophobic and the contact area between the flowing liquid and the solid wall is greatly reduced. Further, due to the scale of the micropatterned structures, the liquid is unable to wet the cavity and a liquid meniscus is formed between …
Shear Modulus Degradation Of Liquefying Sand: Quantification And Modeling, Peter A. Olsen
Shear Modulus Degradation Of Liquefying Sand: Quantification And Modeling, Peter A. Olsen
Theses and Dissertations
A major concern for geotechnical engineers is the ability to predict how a soil will react to large ground motions produced by earthquakes. Of all the different types of soil, liquefiable soils present some of the greatest challenges. The ability to quantify the degradation of a soil's shear modulus as it undergoes liquefaction would help engineers design more reliably and economically. This thesis uses ground motions recorded by an array of downhole accelerometers on Port Island, Japan, during the 1995 Kobe Earthquake, to quantify the shear modulus of sand as it liquefies. It has been shown that the shear modulus …
Transient Molecular Dynamics Simulations Of Viscosity For Simple Fluids, Richard L. Rowley, Jason C. Thomas
Transient Molecular Dynamics Simulations Of Viscosity For Simple Fluids, Richard L. Rowley, Jason C. Thomas
Faculty Publications
A transient molecular dynamics (TMD) method has been developed for simulation of fluid viscosity. In this method a sinusoidal velocity profile is instantaneously overlaid onto equilibrated molecular velocities, and the subsequent decay of that velocity profile is observed. The viscosity is obtained by matching in a least-squares sense the analytical solution of the corresponding momentum transport boundary-value problem to the simulated decay of the initial velocity profile. The method was benchmarked by comparing results obtained from the TMD method for a Lennard-Jones fluid with those previously obtained using equilibrium molecular dynamics (EMD) simulations. Two different constitutive models were used in …
Effect Of Beam Splicing On Seismic Response Of Buckling-Restrained Braced Frames, Gary S. Prinz
Effect Of Beam Splicing On Seismic Response Of Buckling-Restrained Braced Frames, Gary S. Prinz
Theses and Dissertations
The deformation capacity of typical buckling-restrained braced frames (BRBFs) is limited by the rotation capacity of connecting regions. The rotation capacity of the connection region is limited by fracture of the gusset welds and yielding in the beams and columns. A different connection detail with beam-splices outside the gusset has been shown to increase connection rotation capacity when compared to typical connections, in a few component tests. This study expands upon the performed component tests, by analyzing the beam splice connection at the system level under directional dynamic loads. Finite element analysis and dynamic loads are used to analyze two …
Experimental Validation Of An Autonomous Control System On A Mobile Robot Platform, Timothy Mclain, Randall W. Beard, Wei Ran, J.-S. Sun
Experimental Validation Of An Autonomous Control System On A Mobile Robot Platform, Timothy Mclain, Randall W. Beard, Wei Ran, J.-S. Sun
Faculty Publications
An autonomous control system designed for a non-holonomic wheeled mobile robot that is programmed to emulate a fixed-wing unmanned air vehicle (UAV) flying at constant altitude is experimentally validated. The overall system is capable of waypoint navigation, threat avoidance, real-time trajectory generation and trajectory tracking. Both the wheeled mobile robot experimental platform and the hierarchical autonomous control software architecture are introduced. Programmed to emulate a fixed-wing UAV flying at constant altitude, a non-holonomic mobile robot is assigned to follow a desired time-parameterised trajectory generated by a real-time trajectory generator to transition through a sequence of targets in the presence of …
Polarization Rotation Correction In Radiometry: An Error Analysis, David G. Long, Derek Hudson, Jeffrey R. Piepmeier
Polarization Rotation Correction In Radiometry: An Error Analysis, David G. Long, Derek Hudson, Jeffrey R. Piepmeier
Faculty Publications
Yueh proposed a method of using the third Stokes parameter TU to correct brightness temperatures such as Tv and Th for polarization rotation. This paper presents an extended error analysis of the estimation of Tv , Th, and TQ equiv Tv - Th by Yueh's method. In order to carry out the analysis, we first develop a forward model of polarization rotation that accounts for the random nature of thermal radiation, receiver noise, and (to first order) calibration. Analytic formulas are then derived for the bias, standard deviation (STD), and root-mean-square error (RMSE) of estimated TQ, Tv , and Th, …
Integrated Piezoresistive Sensing For Feedback Control Of Compliant Mems, Robert K. Messenger
Integrated Piezoresistive Sensing For Feedback Control Of Compliant Mems, Robert K. Messenger
Theses and Dissertations
Feedback control of MEMS devices has the potential to significantly improve device performance and reliability. One of the main obstacles to its broader use is the small number of on-chip sensing options available to MEMS designers. A method of using integrated piezoresistive sensing is proposed and demonstrated as another option. Integrated piezoresistive sensing utilizes the inherent piezoresistive property of polycrystalline silicon from which many MEMS devices are fabricated. As compliant MEMS structures flex to perform their functions, their resistance changes. That resistance change can be used to transduce the structures' deflection into an electrical signal. This dissertation addresses three topics …
A Generalized Two-Dimensional Model To Reconstruct The Impact Phase In Automobile Collisions, Regis Agenor David
A Generalized Two-Dimensional Model To Reconstruct The Impact Phase In Automobile Collisions, Regis Agenor David
Theses and Dissertations
Automobile accident reconstruction has been facilitated by the development of computer based modules to allow evaluation of evidence gathered at the accident scenes. Although the computer modules are based in fundamental physical laws, an understanding of these laws by the user is required for proper application of the computer model in a given accident scenario. Vehicle collision analysis techniques generally separate the collision into three phases: pre-impact, impact, and post impact. The intent of the research is to provide a generalized model to reconstruct two dimensional impact problems in the area of accident reconstruction. There are currently two modeling techniques …
Byu Wideband Mimo Channel Sounder Technical Reference Manual, Jon W. Wallace
Byu Wideband Mimo Channel Sounder Technical Reference Manual, Jon W. Wallace
Faculty Publications
This document serves as a technical reference manual for the wideband multiple-input multipleoutput (MIMO) wireless channel sounder developed at the Wireless Research Laboratory at Brigham Young University. The development of this system is considered an "open hardware project," which means that the details of the system may be freely used by others interested in designing and building similar systems. Also, it is hoped that the open hardware methodology will lead to fruitful cooperation in improving the system and sharing ideas.
Principles, Functions, And Concepts For Compliant Mechanically Reactive Armor Elements, Cameron S. Andersen
Principles, Functions, And Concepts For Compliant Mechanically Reactive Armor Elements, Cameron S. Andersen
Theses and Dissertations
There exists a great need for armor systems with greater mass efficiencies and ballistic limits. This thesis explores the development of a new field of armor capable of satisfying the increased demand for modern armor: Mechanically Reactive Armor or MRA. More specifically, the thesis focuses on Compliant MRA or CMRA. From the physics governing projectile-armor interactions, principles governing successful design of MRA are identified and presented. These principles or design approaches focus primarily on rejecting, minimizing, or absorbing the incoming projectile's kinetic energy. After identifying these principles, the specific mechanical functions required by the principles are isolated. These functions represent …
Numerical Simulation Of Vortex Generating Jets In Zero And Adverse Pressure Gradients, Curtis Lynn Memory
Numerical Simulation Of Vortex Generating Jets In Zero And Adverse Pressure Gradients, Curtis Lynn Memory
Theses and Dissertations
Numerical simulations of particle image velocimetry (PIV) experiments conducted with vortex generating jets (VGJs) on a flat plate, at a Reynolds number based on plate length of 50,000, were performed for three flow conditions using a time-accurate hybrid Navier-Stokes solver. Time-averaged steady blowing of angled jets, subjected to a zero pressure gradient, yielded excellent agreement with the PIV data in terms of vortex formation and strength. Observed flow features include primary and secondary vortices, where the primary vortex eventually dominates the downstream region. A shell wall structure, created by smaller vortical structures surrounding the developing vortices, was also observed. A …
Computer-Based Instruction For Engineering Education In The Developing World, Bradford G. Singley
Computer-Based Instruction For Engineering Education In The Developing World, Bradford G. Singley
Theses and Dissertations
Although civil engineers continually develop new ways to solve problems involving water, energy, infrastructure and environmental sustainability, these innovations can take years – or even decades – to reach developing countries. Computer-based instruction has the potential to dramatically decrease this lag time by improving engineering education in the developing world. This paper discusses the development of instructional simulations, based on the theory of model-centered instruction. These simulations can serve as self-paced learning modules, which can be accessed for free over the Internet. A pilot learning module was developed for the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) on the …
Adaptive Quaternion Control For A Miniature Tailsitter Uav, Nathan B. Knoebel
Adaptive Quaternion Control For A Miniature Tailsitter Uav, Nathan B. Knoebel
Theses and Dissertations
The miniature tailsitter is a unique aircraft with inherent advantages over typical unmanned aerial vehicles. With the capabilities of both hover and level flight, these small, portable systems can produce efficient maneuvers for enhanced surveillance and autonomy with little threat to surroundings and the system itself. Such vehicles are accompanied with control challenges due to the two different flight regimes. Problems with the conventional attitude representation arise in estimation and control as the system departs from level flight conditions. Furthermore, changing dynamics and limitations in modeling and sensing give rise to significant attitude control design challenges. Restrictions in computation also …
Lateral Resistance Of Piles At The Crest Of Slopes In Sand, Artak Davit Mirzoyan
Lateral Resistance Of Piles At The Crest Of Slopes In Sand, Artak Davit Mirzoyan
Theses and Dissertations
Pile foundations near the crest of a slope are often required to resist lateral loads. This is particularly important for piles at the abutments of bridges. However, limited full-scale test data are available to indicate how the lateral resistance of a pile would be affected when it is located near the crest of a slope. To investigate the effect of a slope on lateral pile resistance, three full scale lateral load tests were conducted on an instrumented steel pipe pile. For the first test, the pile was laterally loaded in horizontal ground. For the second test the pile was at …
A Comparison Of Optimized Nonlinear Time History Analysis And The Equivalent Lateral Forces Method For Brace Design, Lukas Balling
A Comparison Of Optimized Nonlinear Time History Analysis And The Equivalent Lateral Forces Method For Brace Design, Lukas Balling
Theses and Dissertations
This thesis presents the development of a design procedure for buckling-restrained braced frames (BRBF's). This procedure uses nonlinear time history analysis and a formal optimization algorithm. The time history analysis includes an elasto-plastic model for the braces. The optimization algorithm is a genetic algorithm. This procedure is referred to throughout the thesis as the "Nonlinear Time History Analysis Procedure with Optimization" (NTHO). Current design specifications for BRBF's are based on inelastic design spectra and approximate formulas for the determination of natural period. These spectra are used to obtain seismic base shear, and the distribution of equivalent lateral forces. Yielding and …